Letter Of Intent For A Job: What Is It And How To Write It?

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A letter of intent is a written document that outlines the agreement between the two parties before formalizing the legal agreement. Such letters are used in various situations. For example, a tenant and landlord can sign the letter of intent once they have mutually agreed on the regulations and terms of tenancy.

In the job search context, a letter of intent expresses your interest in the particular company. In it, you outline why you'd like to work for a particular company and how you can contribute to the organization's success. A letter of intent helps you initiate the conversation with a prospective employer and wonder about potential opportunities.

Keep reading to learn about the peculiarities of letter of intent, how it is used, and how to craft an effective letter to land a job with your dream company.

The definition of a letter of intent

A letter of intent (LOI) is a non-binding document that outlines the understanding between two or more parties involved in a proposed transaction. The primary purpose of an LOI is to establish a framework for further negotiation and to demonstrate a commitment to a potential deal. It serves as a preliminary agreement that sets the stage for further discussions with the other party.

LOIs are used in various business transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and property lease agreements. By clearly outlining the essential details, intentions, and definitive agreements, an LOI helps to ensure that the two parties are on the same page before they close a business deal.

Applications of a Letter of Intent

A letter of intent has various applications in business transactions, making it a versatile tool for outlining preliminary agreements. Here are some common scenarios where an LOI is used:

• Mergers and Acquisitions: An LOI is often used to outline the terms of a proposed merger or acquisition. This includes details such as the purchase price, payment terms, and due diligence requirements.
• Joint Ventures: When two or more parties intend to form a joint venture, an LOI can help establish the terms of the agreement. An LOI ensures that all parties agree on the basic terms before committing to a binding agreement.
• Real Property Lease Agreements: In the context of leasing real property, an LOI can outline the terms of the proposed lease agreement. This includes the rent, lease term, and renewal options.
• Employment Agreements: An LOI can also be used to outline the proposed terms of employment. This includes details such as job title, salary, benefits, and job responsibilities. An LOI helps to ensure the preliminary commitment to the agreement and outlines fundamental terms for a mutual understanding of the job offer.

Now that we have considered how a letter of intent is used in multiple contexts, let's have a closer look at the letter of intent for a job and how to write it.

Why use a letter of intent for your job search?

In the job application context, you may send a letter of intent to express your interest in working for them, outline your skills and strengths, and wonder about potential opportunities. You can write such a letter in the following situations:

• Express your interest in the organization. If there is one or more companies that you'd like to work for, sending a letter of intent is a great strategy to initiate the contact. Don't wait for a job posting to appear - use a proactive approach and show what you can offer.
• Reconnect with a recruiter. If you met the company's recruiter or the conference or industry event (or had a heated discussion with them in LinkedIn), initiate a second contact with a letter of intent. Thus, you'll stay top of mind for them, which is super important if they're actively hiring.
• Show how you can contribute. Employers value passionate people who are willing to make an impact and solve business problems. By showing the potential employer how you can make a difference if hired, you'll get a chance to secure a dream job with them.
• When requested by employer. Some companies require a letter of intent instead of a cover letter. This is more common for startups or small organization who might not know what kind of employee they're looking for. If you show your passion for the organization's mission and outline your value, it may lead to employment.

Is a letter of intent different from a cover letter?

Don't confuse the letter of intent with a cover letter. While both are used to show your interest in working for the organization and aren't legal documents, there are differences between them.

1. A cover letter is more focused on the position. It outlines specific skills, education, achievements, and other relevant information that presents you as a perfect fit for the role. Say, when applying for a Senior Java Developer role, you focus more on what makes you a great person for this job. In a letter of intent, you will write about why you are excited about working for a XYZ Company without having a specific job in mind.
2. A cover letter is sent upon request. As a job seeker, you can send a cover letter with a resume in response to a job posting. As for a letter of intent, you may send it even if no job is advertised.

Writing both types of letters can be confusing, especially if you are moving forward in your career after years with the same company. If you struggle to express your strengths on paper, our career writers can help. The experts of ResumePerkcan write a tailored cover letter or a letter of intent that outlines your achievements and potential to help you get noticed by employers. Chat with us to claim your discount!

How to write a letter of intent?

The structure of the letter of intent is similar to that of a cover letter, but there are differences in content you will need to include. Here is how to craft a letter that will attract the attention of potential employers:

Research the organization

Before you start writing the letter, do your homework and research the target company or organization. What is their mission and values? What makes the company unique? What is their corporate culture and the most successful recent projects? Study their website, social media, reporting, and news to answer these questions.

Think about their current challenges and goals to better understand how you can be valuable to the organization. Pay attention to their tone of voice – if the company uses formal language in all communications, adjust your language accordingly.

Show what you can contribute

In the first paragraph of your letter, express your interest in joining the organization. Be very specific about why they will benefit from hiring you. For example, if you want to work as their social media manager and you see that their current SMM strategy could be improved, share your ideas about how you would increase the company’s visibility across multiple channels.

All companies value highly motivated candidates. Even if there are no open jobs at the moment, if you are persuasive enough, there is every chance that they will contact you once the job opening appears, or even create a job for you.

Highlight relevant skills and competencies

Briefly outline your relevant experience, successes, and education. Since it is not a cover letter, you needn’t be very detailed about them. Two or three sentences describing where you previously worked and your key responsibilities/achievements would be enough.

Keep it brief

Ideally, you should keep your letter between 3 and 5 paragraphs. Remember that the company probably has no open jobs for candidates with your skills, so they are not ready to read lengthy letters. Be brief and up to the point. Describe what skills you have and how the organization will benefit from having you onboard.

Proofread before sending

Your letter of intent should make the perfect impression in seconds. Don’t let mistakes, typos, or poor grammar ruin that impression. Proofread your letter carefully before sending it to avoid occasional mistakes.

Letter of intent structure

Your letter of intent should be logically structured and include all the essential information for the employer. Here are the essential sections that you need to include:

1. A professional salutation. Use a professional salutation and address the recruiter by name, for example, "Dear Ms. Finnegan". Avoid unprofessional or generic greetings, such as "Hi" or "To whom it may concern".
2. Letter introduction. In the first paragraph, include the background information about who you are and why you're contacting them. Usually, job-seekers express their interest in working for the organization and the top 2-3 skills they want to contribute.
3. Body of the letter of intent. In 2-3 paragraphs, outline why you'd like to work for the company. Mention specific things that inspire you most, for example, their mission, their innovative approach, or else. Next, focus on your skills, competencies, and experience that can be valuable for the company. Since there is not a particular job advertised, you can be brief and include your strengths from the entire course of career.
4. Conclusion. In the end, thank the recruiter for their time and consideration. Include a call to action to catch their attention.
5. Professional sign-off. Use a sign-off like "Sincerely" or "Best regards" and your full name.

Letter of intent template

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Get professional help with your letter of interest

If you want to write a letter of intent for a specific company or edit the one you’ve written, our experts can help. With 10+ years of experience in writing resumes, cover letters, and other job application documents, we will help you create a memorable letter that attracts attention. Contact us today – discounts for resume packages are available!

Letter Of Intent FAQs

Is a letter of intent legally binding?

Typically, a letter of intent isn't a legally binding contract. It doesn't create a legally binding agreement between the parties involved. Yet, it may contain some binding provisions between one party and the other party, such as non-disclosure agreements, governing law, or exclusivity clauses. These provisions protect the interest of the parties involved during the negotiation.

What is the objective of the letter of intent for a job?

A letter of intent gives an overall overview of your skills, experience, and relevant accomplishments, and expresses interest in working for a company even with no jobs advertised. Its goal is to convince the company that you would be an asset and encourage them to consider you for future opportunities or create a position tailored to your qualifications.

What do you write in a letter of intent?

Firstly, specify why the company caught your interest and why you'd like to work there. Showcase your core qualifications and mention the general type of role you are seeking (i.e. managerial role in marketing and communications). Highlight your relevant skills and specific examples of projects you worked on, explaining why your skills will benefit the organization.